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Edward Ryan, the 23rd circuit clerk of
Sangamon County, was born in Springfield, IL to Daniel and Kate Walsh Ryan. In
1930, Ryan wed Evelyn Cline; the union resulted in 4 children and later, 17
grandchildren. Ryan was a devoted and hardworking member of the Springfield
Police Department from 1942-1965, where he held the position of Assistant Chief
of Police. Ryan was elected Sangamon County Sheriff in 1966 and served in this
position until 1970.
In 1972, Ryan was elected as circuit clerk, an
occupation he filled for the next 8 years. Active in the community, Ryan was a
member of the Blessed Sacrament Church, KC Council 364, the Lions Club, the
Police Benevolent Association, and the Fraternal Order of the Police.
While with the Springfield Police Department, Ryan
served as patrolman, uniformed desk sergeant, patrol sergeant, detective,
lieutenant of detectives, chief of detectives, and assistant chief of police.
Ryan’s time as Sangamon County Sheriff brought along a
few changes, two of which being the addition of a Sheriff’s Posse and a
Sheriff’s Patrol. The posse consisted of nine mounted men working on horseback
to help preserve the law. The Sheriff’s Patrol was in charge of covering 850
square miles of area and included 24 deputies. These two additions were for
volunteers only and were a great help to the Sheriff at no expense to
tax-payers.
The Springfield Sun, July 9, 1967. Accessed August
10, 2011. Sangamon Valley Collection, Lincoln Library. Vertical Files, Ryan.
Savannah Little researcher
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